George Takei and Brad Altman first to get marriage license in West Hollywood

From Damon Romine, Entertainment Media Director, GLAAD:

Actor George Takei, 71, and Brad Altman, 54, were the first couple to ever receive their marriage license in the City of West Hollywood. Takei and Altman will have a wedding ceremony in September in the Democracy Room of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

The couple have been together for 21 years and were invited to be part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony inviting the couples into West Hollywood Park to receive their license. Many couples even went on to have wedding services performed in the park under wedding gazebos, surrounded by music, flowers and passed decorated cupcakes.

Link

[#1 posted by Santa's Knee , June 17, 2008 1:30 PM]

"Kanpai, Takei-san!"

[#2 posted by Tenn , June 17, 2008 1:32 PM]

-Applaud-

[#3 posted by Buckethead , June 17, 2008 1:38 PM]

Oh my!!

[#4 posted by Takuan , June 17, 2008 1:39 PM]

tradionally sung at the wedding by the groom's best friend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljDUg2qN9f4

[#5 posted by Takuan , June 17, 2008 1:40 PM]

KANPAI
(English Translation)
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (Japan) - 1985

Recalling around tight bonds of friendship
So many youthful days hard to tell
Sometimes hurt, sometimes delighted
Those days we encourage each other
How many years have passed by
How many evening suns did I count
Are there still your old friends of your home town in your heart?
Cheers! Now you appear on the big , big stage of your life
You are about to walk the long distance way
May you have great happy days!

Now I look at you two in a candle light smiling sweetly
I just want to sing my great pleasure and feeling a little lonely with words of tears
Basking in the tomorrow's sun,
keep on going your way without looking back
Even though you fight against the wind, or the rain
Don't turn your back on
Cheers! Now you appear on the big , big stage of your life
You are about to walk the long distance way
May you have great happy days!

Cheers! Now you appear on the big , big stage of your life
You are about to walk the long distance way
May you have great happy days!

[#6 posted by nmcvaugh , June 17, 2008 1:42 PM]

This should not be allowed - George CAN'T be 71! :-)

[#7 posted by BummerOfCode , June 17, 2008 1:53 PM]

Umm...

"the first couple to ever receive their marriage license in the City of West Hollywood"

Unless the City of West Hollywood is brand-spanking new, I seriously doubt this is true.

[#8 posted by Santa's Knee , June 17, 2008 2:00 PM]

Bummer, apparently you didn't get the implied "gay couple" aspect of this post...

[#9 posted by Robbo , June 17, 2008 2:01 PM]

I don't care where they live.

Congrats!

"Take 'er out, Mr. Sulu."

Cheers.

[#10 posted by Lea Hernandez , June 17, 2008 2:29 PM]

Oh, man this makes me to happy!

Takuan, thank you for posting "Kanpai!" That is so beautiful.

[#11 posted by Miss Cellania , June 17, 2008 2:35 PM]

After 21 years, it's about time they made it legal. Do you think it will last?

[#12 posted by TheBrad , June 17, 2008 2:38 PM]

They weren't actually the first in West Hollywood. There were a couple of (unintentional) queue jumpers:

http://vowser.advocate.com/2008/06/weho.html

Still, congrats. (Insert Star Trek pun of choice here.)

[#13 posted by isaacb2 , June 17, 2008 2:43 PM]

Takei: "I had my mouth full of... sandwich... at the time."

[#14 posted by BummerOfCode , June 17, 2008 3:07 PM]

Santa, I got it. I was being a smart ass. The wording is a little misleading.

But then, shouldn't you know when I'm being naughty?

[#15 posted by ndollak , June 17, 2008 3:15 PM]

His daughter extends her congratulations from the bridge of the Enterprise-B, fresh out of space-dock for major repairs. In the 23rd/24th Century, we're all cool that way!

Seriously, though --- Congratulations, Mr. Takei & Mr. Altman. Live long and prosper, ahead warp factor one.

(Straight, but not narrow)

[#16 posted by Allison , June 17, 2008 3:21 PM]

@ Miss Cellania,

I can't speak for Misters Takei and Altman, so who knows if they will last/

As for the law, though, we're all praying it will. There will be a ballot measure in November to give the vote to the people whether to "define marriage between one man and one woman" which would snatch this wonderful right away from us after only 5 months. Let's hope that doesn't happen. So, Californians, be sure to vote NO on the Marriage Ban.

Visit www.equalityforall.com to get more info on what you can do to keep marriage legal for us!

~A

[#17 posted by Jeff , June 17, 2008 3:30 PM]

That's pretty cool. The lawyers are going to make out like frakkin bandits: pre-nups, divorce, estate planning. Too bad the Feds won't give them any validation. So when's Obamma gunna talk about his homo brothas? And the rights they deserve? Hmmm? This will be an issue if we scream loud enough and make it one.

[#18 posted by Stefan Jones , June 17, 2008 3:41 PM]

Takei was interviewed on NPR yesterday. A few Star Trek cast members are part of the wedding party . . . but not William Shatner, who Takei remembers as a scene stealing jerk.

[#19 posted by flip , June 17, 2008 3:56 PM]

I'm kinda shocked that people aren't objecting to this on the basis of an "interracial marriage" alone.

Oh wait... this is a boing boing thread...
Warp Factor 6 Mr. Sulu!

[#20 posted by Cpt. Tim , June 17, 2008 4:28 PM]

Mazal Tov!

[#21 posted by Melody Platz , June 17, 2008 4:35 PM]

Claps happily. What a sweet story.

I attend a Unitarian Universalist church, so I have quite a few close friends I know who I wish had the same equality as California is trying to make permanent.

[#22 posted by error404 , June 17, 2008 5:15 PM]

Congratulations to you George Takei.

It really shouldn't matter a damn beyond the wishing of good fortune to a couple on their wedding day.

I was the best man at the marriage of my friends three times.

twice for straight couples and due to legal changes in the UK last year for a gay couple.

I have never been able to fathom why there was ever a barrier.

anyway Raises glass (pinot grigio) and toasts the happy couple.

[#23 posted by hassan-i-sabbah , June 17, 2008 5:20 PM]

love to both.

[#24 posted by JG , June 17, 2008 5:23 PM]

WELL IT'S ABOUT &$*@!%$#^% TIME!

We need some sort of law in the USA that would enable us all to live life with liberty and allow us to pursue happiness.

While we're at it let's get something on the books that mentions that all people are created equally.

Maybe even a law against unreasonable search and seizure as long as we're on a roll.

What's that? We do already?!?!

We'll damn!

Maybe someone should inform the Supreme Court!!

Just a thought.....

###

[#25 posted by Anthony , June 17, 2008 5:27 PM]

Okay, listen. That clip made me cry, so there's no freaking way gay marriage can be wrong.

[#26 posted by reptiles_and_samurai , June 17, 2008 6:11 PM]

Man, Kern County needs one hell of a bitch slap. And also a good tea bagging.

[#27 posted by OM , June 17, 2008 6:12 PM]

...Lessee, George is 71, and Brad is 54. Robbing the cradle, eh George? :-)

[#28 posted by bricklayer , June 17, 2008 7:33 PM]

Bababooie! Bababooie! Bababooie!

[#29 posted by malex , June 17, 2008 7:43 PM]

@ Om

It's going to be a same-sex, mixed-race, inter-generational wedding! I've only been to one of those before!

[#30 posted by Narfig_Agar , June 17, 2008 7:44 PM]

Awwww! They're so damn cute! People that would deny that level of cuteness are just big meanies.

George coming out makes Star Trek TOS much funnier. There were so many hints!

To whit'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G5Uk64EwR4

"Sulu, put that thing away"

[#31 posted by minTphresh , June 17, 2008 7:51 PM]

mssr. takei! bigtime congrats on the weddin! we met whilst both working a scifi-fan con in greenville. during the 'miss alternative universe pagent', you were one of the celeb. judges, and my partner 'butt crust' and i were the host and emcee, respectively. thank you for having fun with us especially during the 'george takei poetry slam'. i wrote one in honor of your special day and it goes a lil sumpin like this...ahem: vows spoken, cake's been eaten/ who shall take the helm? / it's front page on google news!/ damnit george! it's a haiku!

[#32 posted by entropymd , June 17, 2008 8:11 PM]

Ths s nsty. thnk jst pkd.

[#33 posted by minTphresh , June 17, 2008 8:37 PM]

for a haiku, it wasn't THAT bad!

[#34 posted by Takuan , June 17, 2008 8:45 PM]

disemvowelling? Not enough! Fuck you, entropy boy.

[#35 posted by Glossolalia Black , June 17, 2008 8:55 PM]

Grumpy assed me, the thing that stuck with me was the shitheads in the court (the fabled 36%) who somehow think that little old lesbian couples who have been together for 50 years getting married somehow ruins the sanctity for good, God-blessed unions like any of Liz Taylor's, or the 55 hour first marriage of Britney Spears, to name several.

Honestly, there is no logical reason why gay people shouldn't be able to get married. None whatsoever. Every "reason" given breaks down easily into "Teh gay is RONG!!!1", and I don't give a damn, that's just not enough reason to make it illegal.

[#36 posted by Takuan , June 17, 2008 9:13 PM]

goodbye spammer

[#37 posted by Anonymous , June 17, 2008 9:26 PM]

omedetou gozaimasu!

[#38 posted by raisedbywolves , June 18, 2008 1:16 AM]

*throws confetti*

YAY!

[#39 posted by alisong76 , June 18, 2008 2:57 AM]

A few years ago I met Mr. Takei at a con in Sydney (which is not that strange in itself, of course he's done the con circuit for years). However, what I like telling people about it is this - I met him right after I met another cult actor whom I won't name here. That other actor was rather rude and offhand with me, and honestly, I'd done nothing to deserve it - I'd paid the $40 bucks for the photo and lined up for an autograph and been perfectly polite to the guy. Anyway, George was sitting right beside him and witnessed the whole thing...and he just went out of his way to be sweet to me, it was like he was trying to make up for the other guy's asshattery. I know George is nice to everyone but he made me feel special. And that is why I love George - I wish him and Brad much, much happiness.

[#40 posted by WaitWhat , June 18, 2008 4:25 AM]

Balloon knot!

[#41 posted by strider_mt2k , June 18, 2008 4:47 AM]

All the best to the happy couple.

I'm sorry our system stood in the way of your happiness, seriously.
I'm saddened by this stuff.

[#42 posted by error404 , June 18, 2008 6:05 AM]

HAve you ever noticed that the true homophobes always decry the promiscuous gay life style

AND

Oppose the establishment of the strictures of marriage beign willingly imposed?

Forsaking all others,Til Death US Do Part.

SO they are all sluts,and you won't allow them to be monogamous?

If gays marry,shouldn't that assuage the fears of the homophobes?

I do wish they'd stop trying to dress up their thoughtless homophobia as being anything rational.

Have you seen the average doofus who stands up and rants against gays?

They are terrified that gays will try to "get" them.

Do they think that they're cat nip to gays?

Talk about ego.

[#43 posted by insomma , June 18, 2008 7:21 AM]

Alison76

You're safe here- we won't tell anyone...Who was the other actor? :)

Congratulations California (bar Kern County) and congratulations to all of you who benifit from this legislation and can finally pursue your happiness.

[#44 posted by Giovanni , June 18, 2008 8:13 AM]

I know Im on boingboing and I expected there to be a lot of support but Im surprised that no one has been opposed at all. I hope I won't get my comment deleted for having an opposing view point but I'm not super pleased about same-sex couples getting married.

I think it's bad.

On the other hand I am excited to see what kind of research goes into same sex couples raising children. I heard an interview on NPR with some same sex couples and it seemed that a lot of them had children from previous marriages. As far as I know there hasn't been a lot of research into the effects on children. I would expect gender confusion but I'll wait until the data is in.

I did have a friend growing up who "had two mommies" and he was really screwed up though there are plenty of screwed up kids who have two married heterosexual parents so who knows if it was connected.

[#45 posted by paulm , June 18, 2008 9:29 AM]

I give it five months. The voters in California
already voted on this and they're aggravated that the judicial system overturned their decision.

Legally, it's arguable there is no denial of rights since any gay person can get married right now - just not to someone of the same sex.

And while it's splitting hairs, it's probably enough of a rationale - along with the allowance of domestic partnership - to say 'go ahead and have a legally-binding relationship. Just don't call it marriage.'

Just a prediction. As good or bad as the next person's.

[#46 posted by pollyannacowgirl , June 18, 2008 9:33 AM]

Mazel Tov, George and Brad!

Giovanni, we are all entitled to our opinions, as long as we're not assholes to the people we disagree with. Or, that's how I see it. I fully support gay marriage and parenting, but I can understand the opposing viewpoint.

I knew a few kids in NYC who had out, gay parents. We were all teenagers at the time. The ones I knew weren't particularly screwed up. They just seemed more... lonely.

My MIL was neighbors with two gay guys who were raising children born by surrogate. She's very old-fashioned, but the only objection I ever heard her raise about them was that they were "all into that fruity organic hooey stuff... why do people waste their money on it?"

[#47 posted by Takuan , June 18, 2008 9:33 AM]

So you're saying if the people of California vote for witch-burning, that's more important than federal standards about human rights?

[#48 posted by paulm , June 18, 2008 9:45 AM]

Takuan:

I'll go out on a limb and say the U. S. Supreme Court would overturn witch-burning.

Right now, there's no national policy on gay marriage. It's a state-by-state issue, right?

[#49 posted by Takuan , June 18, 2008 9:49 AM]

Perhaps that will change soon

[#50 posted by tomic , June 18, 2008 9:50 AM]

Best wishes to Takei (cradle robber!) and Altman! Who knows if it will last?! Marriage ruins everything!

My boyfriend and I have been together 16 years this Friday; we still believe we're in our trial phase.

Personally I think marriage itself should have been abolished along with slavery. Fck the state!

Any 'mixed couple' can welp out pups, BFD, whaddaya want, a medal?

"But it's a miracle!" No, you twit, it's inevitable! Use a condom!

If there was a god, the proof would be that he gave us sex for fun. I said if.

[#51 posted by Jeff , June 18, 2008 10:00 AM]

Dear Takuan, if you want witch burning, please come to Michigan. This state seem's quite proud of its old ways. Seriously, I think I'll come to CA and get hitched. I think 20 years has been a good test period. Time to make an honest man out of me and that guy I've been with. Oh gosh, I'm going to wear a Vera Wang, and no one's going to stop me!

[#52 posted by tomaq , June 18, 2008 3:17 PM]

I'm happy for them, too, but I scanned this whole page for a HEROES reference. What the hell's wrong with you people...? : )

[#53 posted by Pharmakos , June 18, 2008 8:08 PM]

Honestly, Tomaq, it feels like it's been years since Heroes was on. They really ought to rerun the shortened second season this summer.

[#54 posted by Agent 86 , June 22, 2008 12:50 AM]

Do they think that they're cat nip to gays?

Talk about ego.

I'm not homophobic, but I do seem to be cat nip to the gays. Even the guys with boyfriends don't stop hitting on me. I wish I was that attractive to women!

[#55 posted by Antinous , June 22, 2008 12:53 AM]

Pics or it doesn't happen, 86. Pics or it doesn't happen.

[#56 posted by Takuan , June 22, 2008 1:28 AM]

squidnip?
http://www.ectomo.com/index.php/2008/06/20/noise-du-jour-lull-by-andrew-bird-featuring-dianogah/

[#57 posted by Agent 86 , June 22, 2008 2:09 PM]

Beautiful Takuan, is that how you were born?

[#58 posted by Takuan , June 22, 2008 2:18 PM]

it is a lovely little piece,isn't it? I never had a father.

[#59 posted by Agent 86 , June 23, 2008 3:59 AM]

Midichlorian don't count?